The Murky Stream is almost here, and the Joseon-era drama is all set to grip viewers with the corruption taking place along the Gyeonggang River. Episode 1 will premiere on September 26, 2025, at 10:00 PM KST on Disney+ with 3 episodes, and then 2 episodes will drop weekly. There are a total of 9 episodes. The series is adapted from the novel Takryu by Chae Man Sik.
This historical thriller is directed by Choo Chang-min and written by Chun Sung Il. It will star Ro Woon and Shin Ye-eun in leading roles. The high production design, as well as its stellar cast, is already generating a lot of online buzz. As the title indicates, the murky stream is a reflection of the lawless period of Joseon, where personal vendettas and political intrigue reigned.
The Murky Stream Episode 1 Release Date and Times
The Murky Stream episodes 1 to 3 will be released on September 26, 2025, on Disney+ worldwide. Here are the release dates as per the local times in multiple countries:
| Region | Release Date | Local Time | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | September 26, 2025 | 10:00 PM KST | Disney+ |
| United States (PT) | September 26, 2025 | 6:00 AM PT | Disney+ |
| United States (ET) | September 26, 2025 | 9:00 AM ET | Disney+ |
| United Kingdom | September 26, 2025 | 2:00 PM BST | Disney+ |
| India | September 26, 2025 | 6:30 PM IST | Disney+ |
| Australia (Sydney) | September 26, 2025 | 1:00 AM AEDT⁺¹ | Disney+ |
The first 2 episodes of the series will premiere on September 18, 2025, at the 30th Busan International Film Festival in the ‘On Screen’ section.
What Will Be the Plot of The Murky Stream Episode 1?
As per SBS Star, this is the plot of the show:
The Murky Stream is a fate-forging action saga set around Gyeonggang ― the Joseon-era trade artery along today’s Han River ― where money, power and corruption collide. The series follows three young people who dare to upend a dirty order to live with dignity.
So, episode 1 of The Murky Stream will launch viewers right into the late Joseon era, where Jang Si-yul (Ro Woon), a wanderer, will narrowly escape with his life after getting stuck between rival gangs. From there, we will be introduced to the other two main characters- Choi Eun (Shin Ye-eun) and Jung Cheon (Park Seo-ham).
The former is a merchant’s daughter, and the latter is an upright government official, a dangerous position to have in a world where corruption reigns. These 3 characters will probably have to navigate this time period to figure out their own destinies.
Joining them will be Choi Gwi-hwa, Jeon Bae-soo, Kim Dong-won, and Choi Young-woo in supporting roles, although their character names haven’t been revealed yet. The Murky Stream is all set to be a saga of complex people navigating a complex time where having morals and dignity was dangerous.
Are you tuning in to watch The Murky Stream? What kind of show are you expecting it to be? Let us know in the comments below.
The Murky Stream will premiere on September 26, 2025, on Disney+.
